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Migraines are severe headaches that affect over 30 million Americans per year. Marked by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound, migraines are debilitating and disruptive, sometimes with little or no relief for days at a time. Understanding their progression, potential triggers and effective treatments can greatly help those suffering to combat migraines and regain control of their lives.

Characteristics of Migraines

As far as severe headaches go, migraines are in a category of their own. Generally manifesting in childhood, what starts as a localized headache in one area of the head turns into throbbing, pulsating pain that causes nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, mood swings, fatigue and even sinus pain and congestion. They are exhausting and debilitating and, for many who suffer, can last anywhere from two to four days.

Migraines follow a four-stage pattern:

The first stage is known as the prodromal stage, and it starts one to two days before the migraine comes on. The individual may notice being thirstier than usual, craving specific foods, yawning more often than usual and going to the bathroom more. He or she may also become irritable and tired.

In the second stage, the aura stage, the visual disturbances that accompany migraines begin to pop up. The individual may experience flickering of lights, areas where he or she appears to lose vision, and has difficulty focusing. He or she may also notice difficulty concentrating or speaking and may feel some numbness or tingling throughout the body.

The third stage, the actual attack, is when the headache begins. Usually starting above the eyes and moving to one side of the head (although sometimes it can cover the entire head), the headache becomes more intense, often throbbing and pulsating. During this stage, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness and worsening of symptoms during physical activity may also occur.

The last stage is the postdrome stage, the period after the headache when the individual is exhausted, fatigued, lacking in energy and sluggish.

Migraine Headache Relief

Being aware of migraine triggers may go a long way in helping patients prevent migraine attacks. Some common triggers for these severe headaches include:

Migraine headaches are treated in several ways, depending on history of migraines, severity of symptoms and efficacy of previous treatment. Medication is one of the go-to primary treatments for migraines –from over-the-counter migraine formulas of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine, to prescription medications that work to constrict blood vessels and block pain pathways in the brain. In some cases, anti-depressants, opioids and even beta blockers are used to treat migraine headaches. There are also alternative treatment therapies that have proven effective in easing migraine symptoms. These include acupuncture, massage therapy and biofeedback.

If you are suffering from migraines or persistent headaches, contact MISI today at 877-504-9759 to schedule a consultation with one of our migraine specialists.

Acupuncture has long been recognized as one of the mainstays of alternative medicine, offering patients pain relief through a more holistic method. A practice in traditional Chinese medicine, this technique is said to help balance the flow of energy in the body.

How does Acupuncture Work?

Acupuncture practitioners believe that a disruption to the flow of energy in the body can cause many ailments, including chronic pain. In order to cure these ailments, it is essential to balance the flow of energy. In acupuncture, very thin needles are placed strategically through the skin and into various “energy flow” points in the body, redirecting the flow of energy and re-balancing the body. Western practitioners believe that acupuncture triggers a boost in the body’s natural pain killers, increasing blood flow and stimulating pain relief.

How is Acupuncture Used for Chronic Pain Relief?

Studies show that primarily, acupuncture helps with post-operative and chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, as well as post-operative dental pain. However, used in conjunction with other treatments or as an alternative therapeutic treatment, acupuncture has shown promise in providing pain relief for many acute and chronic conditions. This includes conditions such as fibromyalgia, headaches, lower back pain, osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial pain, tennis elbow, neck pain and even labor pain.

While studies are still in progress to determine the biological and physiological connections that make acupuncture a potential alternative method for chronic pain relief– there is no doubt that acupuncture can be an effective part of pain relief and management.

Acupuncture Side Effects

It’s important to note that side effects associated with acupuncture are generally due to poor acupuncturist training or poor hygiene. Minor risk associated with acupuncture can include soreness, light bleeding and bruising around the needle placement locations. However, more severe side effects can include organ injury, if the needles are inserted too deeply, or infections. That is why it’s vital to find your state’s certified training requirements and license regulations. While most states regulate acupuncture and require practitioners to undergo certified training to be licensed, some states do not have regulations in place.

A broken hand is never a condition to be taken lightly. Given we rely so heavily on using our hands, even a slight loss of function can result in a lifelong disability. Finding hand pain relief from a broken hand often requires a visit to a doctor and possible rehabilitation care.

The Hand Structure and How it can Break

A human hand, made up of 27 bones, is quite complex and can be broken down into several categories:

The carpal bones, eight in all, are the bones found in the wrist.

The five metacarpals are located within the palm of your hand and are connected to the carpal bones.

The phalanges are the small bones that form the fingers of the hand. There are 14 in total, with two phalanges in each thumb and three in each finger.

In addition to the 27 hand bones, there are the knuckles, which are known as the metacarpal-phalangeal joints. Also in the hand are the PIP and DIP joints. The PIP joint, or proximal interphalangeal, is the joint closest to the palm, and the DIP joint, or distal interphalangeal joint, is the closest joint to the fingertips.

The hand does not break easily, but it can occur due to improperly using tools, blunt trauma, falls, crush injuries or sports injuries. Tennis, baseball and softball players are predominantly at risk of injuring their hand.

Signs, Symptoms and Treatment of a Hand Injury

Due to the intense nature of a hand injury, the symptoms are not difficult to spot. Signs that you’ve broken your hand include difficulty gripping or moving the hand, swelling, pain, bruising, weakness or misaligned fingers.

The most important thing to remember about a suspected hand injury is that if left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to bones, joints, nerves and tendons. That is why it’s so important for a doctor to take an X-ray, examine the hand immediately and determine the best course of treatment. Treatment depends on a variety of factors, from location of injury to length of time between injury and treatment. Hand pain relief can usually be achieved with medications and, in some cases, with surgery.

Preventing Hand Injuries

The vast majority of hand injuries can be prevented. Below are some tips on how to prevent a hand injury:

People who wear tight, poor-fitting shoes and those who suffer from arthritis may find themselves in a constant battle with bunions. Bunions are a bone malformation at the base of the big toe (or, in some cases, the little toe) resulting from the toe being pushed inward against the joint. Bunions are painful and uncomfortable. Luckily, there are a number of bunion treatment options.

What Causes Bunions?

Bunions are typically caused by one of four factors:

Wearing high heels. Did you know women are ten times more likely to develop bunions then men? One of the reasons may be due to wearing high heels. High heels are pointed, narrow and shift the weight of the body forward, forcing toes into the front of the shoe. This forces the bones in the toes to be pushed together unnaturally, which can result in bunions over time.

Wearing ill-fitting shoes. Shoes that don’t fit properly, namely shoes that are too small or narrow, can also cause bunions. In people who suffer from bunions, when shoes don’t fit well or offer support, the bunion becomes the support, causing pain and discomfort.

Arthritis. Those who suffer from inflammatory types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are at a greater risk than most for developing bunions.

Family history. A propensity for bunions can be hereditary. So if bunions run in your family, there’s a chance you may suffer from bunions too.

Bunion Treatment and Prevention

While they can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, it is important to remember that bunions are fairly common and not dangerous. There are a number of non-surgical bunion treatment options designed to relieve pain and discomfort associated with this ailment. They include:

Changing your footwear. Tight, poor-fitting shoes put pressure on the toes and can result in bunions or irritate existing bunions. Wear roomy, comfortable shoes to relieve pressure and provide plenty of space for your toes.

Adding proper support to your shoes. Padded shoe inserts help to evenly distribute pressure as you walk. This can help relieve pain and prevent the bunion from getting worse. Taping and padding your foot is also an option for keeping bones in position and relieving pressure and stress from the bunion area.

Taking pain relievers. Pain relievers such as Tylenol, Aleve or Advil can help by reducing swelling and relieving pain. In serious cases, cortisone shots can help relieve pain and inflammation caused by bunions.

Ice packs can relieve inflammation. Ice packs work by decreasing blood flow to the chilled area, thereby reducing inflammation and swelling. Try icing your bunion after a long day to relieve inflammation.

In most cases, surgery isn’t necessary, but rare cases require bunion removal surgery to get the foot back to where it should be. Bunion removal surgery works to realign the bone, ligaments, tendons and nerves in order to bring the big toe back into position.

How do you prevent bunions? Wearing shoes that are not too tight or narrow is a good start. Choose footwear that is wide enough to give your toes room to be comfortable and avoid being on your feet for long periods of time in shoes that irritate your feet. Find out more about bunion treatment and prevention from Minimally Invasive Foot Relief today.

For those who suffer from the debilitating effects of carpal tunnel syndrome, finding carpal tunnel treatment and prevention strategies can be difficult. While there is no definitive way to fully prevent the onset of the condition, there are measures that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and prevent aggravating flare-ups.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel

The median nerve runs from the forearm to the hand through a space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome may develop when the median nerve becomes pressed at the wrist, causing numbness, tingling, burning, and a gradual weakening of the hand. Sufferers may also experience symptoms at night while sleeping.

Diabetes, pregnancy and obesity are a few risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. People who engage in activities requiring repetitive motion of the wrist and hands or repetitive use of vibrating equipment such as hand power tools are also at risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. People who are on computers for a long period of time may develop carpal tunnel syndrome because of improper hand and wrist positions while typing. Many sufferers use computers for long periods of time in office environments while being positioned in unnatural postures. Prolonged and untreated carpal tunnel syndrome may lead to the eventual debilitation of the hand.

Preventing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Due to carpal tunnel syndrome’s delicate nature, the most important part of managing it is preventing symptoms from occurring. Here are some ways to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms:

Use ergonomic sense. Because carpal tunnel syndrome can worsen due to work conditions, it’s important to ensure office spaces follow ergonomic guidelines. Ergonomic guidelines would require a mouse and keyboard designed for correct hand positioning, computer desks at the proper height, and chairs that encourage proper body posture.

Take breaks. Carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers should take frequent breaks to ensure that the wrists and hands are not being overworked. Stretching exercises, breathing, and relaxation techniques are great ways to prevent overexertion of the median nerve.

Maintain good posture. Body posture is essential to maintaining good arm posture. A person should be seated in an ergonomically sound chair, with their back straight, shoulders back, and feet planted on the ground.

Carpal tunnel treatment can range from wearing wrist braces to minimize movement and further damage to the nerve, to surgery that releases the transverse carpal ligament and alleviates the pain and numbness to the median nerve. Visit Minimally Invasive Hand Relief to learn more about carpal tunnel treatment options.

If you’re one of many back pain sufferers, you’re probably familiar with the use of ice or heat for back pain relief. Two very common non-pharmaceutical treatments, heat and ice therapies have their own benefits. It’s important to figure out which is the right form of therapy for your condition.

Ice: Shocking the Muscles into Relief

Ice therapy is a common and effective method for reducing swelling and inflammation caused by lower back injuries, muscle sprains and conditions such as arthritis.

How does cold therapy help? The shock of the cold applied to the injured area causes the veins to contract, giving the muscles room to flex and become less inflamed. Combining ice therapy with heat is a great way to help the area recover faster. Doctors generally recommend ice therapy in three 10-15 minute increments a day for the first few days following an injury.

Heat: Blood and Oxygen Flow

Heat therapy can be a more effective method of lower back pain relief for those suffering from chronic lower back pain and back injuries. When applied, heat relaxes the veins, which has several effects on the injured area:

It improves blood flow so nutrients and oxygen, necessary for the healing of tissue, can get to the injured area faster.

The heat relaxes and soothes the muscles, reducing pain.

The increased flow of oxygen and blood helps the body to eliminate cellular waste so the injured area can heal faster.

Heat is often used in combination with ice therapy for injuries to the lower back. However, it’s also an effective solo treatment for chronic back pain. Moist heat — showers, baths or moist warm towels — often works best for back pain relief, but heating pads and all-day heat packs can help alleviate pain throughout the day. Typical treatment lasts 15-20 minutes.

Long-lasting Pain Relief

Heat and cold therapies can be great for relieving back pain for minor injuries, but if the pain persists, you may need a more effective way to get the upper or lower back pain relief you need. If you’re experiencing chronic pain from arthritis, a degenerative disc or another back condition, talk to your doctor to find the right pain management plan for you.